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Table Image
(September 12, 2006)
A lot has been written about the importance of recognizing table image when developing your skills as a poker player. Along with sound poker strategy, good bankroll management, and of course getting decent cards, a player’s table image is one of the fundamental aspects shared by all successful poker players. This article is meant to bring awareness to the art of creating table image and to show you how to go about designing your own effective poker personality.
What is Table Image?
In a nutshell, table image is how you are perceived by the other players at your table. In every game of poker, there is a continual psychological battle being waged. Players attempt to guard their inner thoughts and opinions while simultaneously trying to fish out what their opponent is really thinking about the cards in his hand. In order to effectively keep your opponent from accurately uncovering your true feelings, a table image is projected. Depending on the circumstances, a table image is modified, improved, and sometimes completely reversed.
There are a number of factors which you need to consider in order to achieve the image that you wish to project. Here are a few them:
Dress. On a basic subconscious level, certain opinions are immediately formed when meeting a new person, based solely on his/her choice of attire. Clean, conservative business dress is almost always associated with success. For instance, a good salesman never goes to work in his jeans. If you want people to take you seriously, then steps must be taken to look serious. If you plan on selling an image, you need to keep in mind what the buyer expects.
However, it is important to remember that we don’t always want to be seen as the competent and serious player who needs to be given respect. Sometimes, a goofy amateur image is useful. Some of the best poker players in the world intentionally dress up like fish in order to fool their competition into thinking that they are inexperienced.
Versatility. Actors, salesman, poker players…what do they have in common? They all have the ability to transform their appearance and personality under different circumstances in order to make people believe in something that may or may not be real. In poker, depending on who you are up against, you will need to modify your image in different situations to gain the upper hand and to keep your opponent in the dark.
Demeanor. Surly and aggressive? Pensive, sly, and calculating? Flamboyant and carefree? Depending on the scenario and the type of opponents, these are some of the character traits that many poker players wish to present. Many players are easily rattled by aggressive behavior and consequently there are a number of professional poker players who use this to their advantage. A lot of excellent poker players want you to underestimate their true ability.
Although employed for many different reasons, a table image is created above all to throw off your opponent and to conceal your true feelings. If you master the art of projecting a certain table image, your game will improve tremendously.
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